Tips for Helping Your Parents Downsize

Author

Aston Gardens at Pelican Marsh

Posted on

Dec 09, 2021

Book/Edition

Florida - Southwest

share-this
Share This
For more information on Aston Gardens, Click Here.
Prior to making the move to any one of our Florida senior living communities or any other, a major undertaking must occur downsizing. And a mission it is. While some downsize in stages and have already moved to smaller homes in the recent years before moving to an independent living community, others come from homes they have lived in for 30-40 years.
Downsizing is a huge transformation that involves a massive course of action to de-clutter followed by a major shift in the way of thinking. To assist in the process, here are some tips for helping your parents downsize.
Take Small Steps
Rather than trying to have your parents (primarily your mom) wrap their minds around the entire house, take small steps by tackling a room. By limiting the time you spend and taking a room that is relatively easy to de-clutter (see below), you can get your parents into the groove of getting rid of the stuff in the house. After a couple of rooms are cleaned out, a sudden change in thinking takes place and everyone is often on board. More than likely, one parent will embrace the whole idea and help you bring the other parent into the fold.
De-Clutter
Before you can think about downsizing, you need to de-clutter. If you have ever performed a good spring cleaning or even cleaned out a junk drawer, you know how to create three piles keep, throw away and give away. When you de-clutter, you realize just how much junk you have accumulated over the years think about how much junk after 30-40 years! Once this is accomplished, you have a better idea of how to proceed. FYI you don't have to wait until your parents decide to move to de-clutter.
Have a Plan for Furniture and Belongings
It helps to select a new residence in a senior living community where you want to live so that you can have a plan for furniture and belongings. As adult children, you have ideas of what you want (you know you do) from your parents home you probably have even had discussions about how to divvy everything up. By deciding on a senior living community and particular residence there, you can help your parents decide what furniture works the best. You may even stand inside the apartment and mentally place furniture in each room with your parents. Then you can take what you want but be nice and share. Oh and once everything is decided, make sure those who take stuff are there to collect their stash by a certain date and time.
Pare Down the Stuff
Once you have a plan, it is time to pare down the stuff. Your parents no longer need as much so get them to think in terms of what they NEED versus what they WANT. For example, they no longer need 24 place settings of dishes and flatware; instead, make a suggestion to keep four or six place settings. The same goes with any collections your mother has accumulated over the years by proposing she keep two to three favorite pieces as d'cor in their new residence. For the mementos that belong to your parents, take it with you so you can take pictures and make a memory book of everything as a gift.
Handle the Keepsakes with Kid Gloves
If your mother is like most, there are boxes upon boxes of art projects from school as well as favorite outfits, old baseball gloves and, the clay ash trays that you made in kindergarten. Your parents (mainly your mom) love these so handle the keepsakes with kid gloves. You may want to give each adult child and let each one of you take his or her own stash.
Consult Professionals
If you think you need help, you may want to consult professionals consultants who work exclusively with people to help them de-clutter and downsize. Sometimes they have the ability to help your parents get rid of what they do not need so that moving is easier and way less stressful. Plus, they are objective about everything there is no emotional attachment to anything from their perspective.
The best tip we can offer you is to be patient and understanding. There is a lot of emotion wrapped up in the process of downsizing. Not only are your parents giving up what they know as normal to move to a community full people in the later years of their lives as well.

Other Articles You May Like

Type II Diabetes- The Basics

There are two main types. Type I (Juvenile) and Type II Type 2 diabetes is much more common and is typically caused by lifestyle choices. Unlike type I, the pancreas can make insulin, but not enough. This leads to the sugar being left in the blood stream instead of being pushed into the cell for an energy source.Some risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes:weightinactivityfamily historyhigh LDL cholesterol levelsAge over 45prediabetesComplications of type 2 diabetes:blood vessel disease nerve damage impaired healing heart disease stroke kidney disease eye damage dementiaPeople with type 2 diabetes, on average, have a shortened life expectancy by about 10 years.You can prevent type 2 diabetes by: eating properly exercise losing weightBalancing your nutrition with the proper amounts of proteins, carbs and fat not only helps you look better, have more energy and confidence but it also prevents chronic disease. Over 80% of chronic disease is preventable through lifestyle modification!

Hypertension- The Silent Killer

Hypertension or high blood pressure is a common condition medical professionals call the silent killer. Silent because having elevated blood pressure often goes undetected for years or decades as it slowly causes fatal changes throughout the body, leading to death. Common comorbidities of prolonged hypertension include: kidney failure, heart attack, stroke, angina, dementia, vision loss, blindness, sexual dysfunction, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, fatigue, artery damage, blood clots, and much more. Unfortunately, many individuals do not know or treat hypertension until the damage has already taken place. But it's not too late. There are many methods and options available to treat and eliminate this life threatening condition. The traditional method of treating hypertension consists of a doctor's visit, finding of hypertension, a series of cardiac studies, and then being prescribed medication.Often this is accompanied by a diagnosis of genetic hypertension, familial hypertension, secondary hypertension or idiopathic hypertension (unknown cause). Regardless of the diagnosis, the underlying cause  can go unnoticed and untreated. Frankly, because there is not enough time and individuality to this approach. The band aid approach. So what's a normal blood pressure? Ideally 120/60.When does blood pressure become dangerous? When your systolic pressure (the first number) rises above and sustains above 150 you should be concerned.Long term effects of elevated blood pressure leads to interior vessel damage and therefore creates even more of a risk to you such as narrowing of the blood vessel, clotting and arteriosclerosis. So what generally leads to hypertension?Some causes for hypertension include obesity, hypernatremia or high sodium, lack of exercise, elevated homocysteine, sleep deprivation, substance use, smoking, stress, hypercholesterol or high fats in the blood, diabetes, kidney dysfunction, lung disease, diet and age.Getting to the core issue and addressing the primary cause or causes of hypertension is the ideal treatment. Unfortunately this is often challenging and time consuming for individuals to navigate themselves. They find there is no direct guidance from medical professionals. Instead the medication seems to be the end all be all approach. Most providers are unfortunately taught this method in school and are not programmed to use a holistic approach.Depending on the cause of hypertension, there are methods and scientifically proven lifestyle changes that can eliminate the silent killer in your life, without having to take medication with harmful side effects. Here are some general non-specific ways to treat hypertension:1. Sodium. Water follows salt. The more salt you digest, the more water that attaches to it. This fills up the veins and arteries, and the pressure makes the heart have to work harder to pump. By reducing sodium intake, we reduce the amount of fluid in our vascular space and lessen the workload of the heart. 2. Quit smoking. Smoking causes damage to the inside of our vessels, contributes to blood clotting, and damages your lungs. The damage in your lungs causes a backup of blood flow.3. Exercise. Your heart is its own muscle and requires exercise. When we exercise, we require the heart to improve endurance. Therefore when we are at rest, it has an easier time pumping blood.4. Diet. Eating a well balanced diet can reduce excess cholesterol. Bad cholesterol component that accumulates inside your vessels. When this happens, the opening becomes smaller making the heart have to pump harder to push through.5. Weight loss. Losing excess weight means the body needs less blood to feed extra tissue. When we lose weight, we reduce the need for the heart to pump harder to feed the excess mass. The extra pumping causes the heart muscle to become large then sets into other diseases, such as heart failure.6. Stress reduction. Stress induces a response in our body, causing inflammation,  increasing our heart rate and narrowing our vessels. This again causes the heart to have to pump harder and thus increases our blood pressure.Utilizing an experienced certified nurse and wellness coach can bridge the gap between lifestyle modification and optimal health. By utilizing this approach, you can obtain a personal and individualized plan and treatment for hypertension and other ailments concurrently. To learn more about a specific plan designed for you or to schedule a free consultation, click below. I would be happy to see if we are a good fit to work together and begin living the life you were designed for and the care you deserve. 

Collier County Earns Major Bond Rating Upgrade: What It Means for You

Moodys recently upgraded Collier Countys Series 2018 Tourist Development Tax Revenue Bonds by two notchesfrom Aa3 to Aa1an uncommon and impressive achievement. This upgrade reflects the countys financial strength, fueled by growing tourism revenues and strategic fiscal management.Why This MattersThis upgrade allows Collier County to borrow at lower interest rates, potentially saving taxpayers millions. For senior citizens, this means: Improved Services: Savings can possibly fund critical projects such as better transportation, healthcare facilities, and senior centers. Tax Stability: Lower borrowing costs help keep property taxes steady, a relief for those on fixed incomes. Enhanced Quality of Life: A strong tourism economy supports parks, cultural activities, and infrastructure which many seniors can enjoy.This achievement highlights the countys commitment to financial responsibility and delivering lasting benefits for Collier County residents of all ages.For more details, contact Derek M. Johnssen at (239) 252-7863 or visit emma.msrb.org.#CollierCounty #FinancialStrength #SeniorLiving

Local Services By This Author

Aston Gardens At Pelican Marsh

Memory Care 4800 Aston Gardens Way, Naples, Florida, 34109

Welcome to Aston Gardens at Pelican Marsh in Naples, one of Florida's most prestigious and exclusive cities. Our community is situated overlooking the Greg Norman-designed Tiburon Golf Course and interior lakes and fountains on the campus. Residents are within minutes of a host of cultural destinations, fine dining, name-brand shopping, and entertainment attractions. We offer an all-inclusive, affordable country club lifestyle with golf course vistas and five-star resort amenities, services and carefree living programs. There are a variety of floor plans from which to choose, and an elegantly appointed 20,375-square-foot Grande Clubhouse where you will find exciting programs, fine dining and good times.

Aston Gardens At Pelican Marsh, The Inn

Assisted Living 4800 Aston Gardens Way, Naples, Florida, 34109

Aston Gardens at Pelican Marsh offers exceptional retirement programs in Naples with world-class facilities and lifestyle programs which are focused on improving the quality of life of our residents. We have revamped our Sensations dining room which showcases the exhibition kitchen, Legends Bar & Lounge, a brand-new movie theater and our new Grande Lobby, perfect for new social experiences. These amenities are part of our remodeling project that aims to offer a fresh look and feel to our residents. Schedule a complimentary tour of our retirement community today by filling out our online form. 

Aston Gardens At Pelican Marsh - Respite Care

Housing - Other Types 4800 Aston Gardens Way, Naples, Florida, 34109

Welcome to Aston Gardens at Pelican Marsh in Naples, one of Florida's most prestigious and exclusive cities. Our community is situated overlooking the Greg Norman-designed Tiburon Golf Course and interior lakes and fountains on the campus. Residents are within minutes of a host of cultural destinations, fine dining, name-brand shopping, and entertainment attractions. We offer an all-inclusive, affordable country club lifestyle with golf course vistas and five-star resort amenities, services and carefree living programs. There are a variety of floor plans from which to choose, and an elegantly appointed 20,375-square-foot Grande Clubhouse where you will find exciting programs, fine dining and good times.What is Senior Respite Care?Senior respite care involves a short-term stay in a senior living community. This stay might be a form of relief for primary caregivers who are going away or will otherwise be unavailable for a time. Some seniors need assistance at home on a daily basis. If their caregiver is unable to care for them for several days, they can arrange for respite care in a senior living community. These stays could last for a few days or a few weeks. Respite care provides peace of mind for the caregiver as well as giving the senior opportunities to interact with others. In many senior living communities, there are opportunities for group activities. You also might choose respite care for your loved one if they are recovering from a surgery, a joint replacement procedure, stroke, or another medical event. Recovering from a medical event can require more care than can be provided in-home. Caregiving can be a full-time job. Senior respite care provides relief so that you can continue caring for your loved one in the future with renewed energy. At Discovery Village, your loved one will be in the care of trained, experienced team members. Theyll enjoy our on-site amenities, meals cooked from scratch, and 24/7 medical care. What You'll Find in Discovery Villages Senior Respite CareRespite care is a fine choice for those recovering from a medical procedure or for those whose caregivers will be away. Professional senior respite care at a Discovery Village senior living community is an excellent choice for those who want the peace of mind of round-the-clock care and support. This convenient lifestyle choice includes the following:A fully furnished apartment homeDelicious dining optionsAmenities including community activities 24-hour support and rehabilitation services from highly trained nurses, physicians, and therapistsRespite care is a great way for seniors to regain strength before ultimately returning to health in the comfort of their own home. Its also a good solution if ever a family member or regular full-time caregiver is away or unavailable for a period of time.